This Half-Term put down your electronic device and spend time outside, playing, creating and exploring at Borde Hill Garden.

Younger visitors can enjoy a Nature Trail (FREE with Garden admission) to find out about the birds and bugs that make the Garden their home, as well as the colours, shapes and smells of the natural world.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]There will also be other activities on selected days between 11am-3pm, including crafts to make and take home. Why not make a beautiful birdbox or decorate a plant pot and fill with soil and sunflower seeds to take home and watch them grow.

Wednesday 30 May: Storytelling for Families – Once Upon A Season >Read more[6]

Thursday 31 May: RepTylers, offering a hands-on experience with snakes, lizards and spiders. The RepTylers team bring their pets, which are friendly and used to being handled on a daily basis, and give talks about each reptiles habitat and where they come from in the wild.

Don’t forget to pick up a Nature Explorer bag including activity sheets and small nature gift (£2 charge for activity bag).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”9510″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Trail FREE. £2 charge for activity bag, small additional charge for face painting, and photo workshop only bookable in advance.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The new Woodland Trail invites families to discover Warren Wood and the stunning display of bluebells that bloom at this time of year. The azaleas are also a delight for the senses with their kaleidoscope of colours.

For those a little more adventurous, why not try orienteering in the parkland. Pick up a map at reception and see if you can find all the control points in the park.

Come along to Borde Hill to run around, let off steam, and get closer to nature. There’s no app for that!

Age: 7-11 year oldsFee: £39 Camera rental: available for an additional £5

Learn how capture the colour of Borde Hill’s blossoms and garden through understanding camera mechanics and composition. Students will learn which camera settings to use when and how to take sharp, super colourful photographs.

Your child is welcome to bring their own drinks and snacks. Booking essential.

Age: 12-15 year oldsFee: £55 DSLR Camera rental: Available for an additional £10

Learn how capture the colour of Borde Hill’s blossoms and gardens through understanding camera mechanics and composition. Students will learn which camera settings to use when and how to take sharp, super colourful photographs.

An invitation to the whole family to share creative time inspired by stories about nature’s seasons from around the world.

Hear how a love story between two Greek Gods led to the creation of summer and winter and how the 12 Months help Marushka to frustrate and defeat her unkind stepmother in Bohemia. What do you enjoy about your favourite season or month?

Led by Lucinda Weis of Telling Tales Storyplay based in Uckfield.

30 minute sessions at 11am, 12noon, 2pm and 3pm. Included in Garden admission and FREE to Friends.

Take part in a 10K, 5K or Kids Mini-Mile run in the scenic parkland at Borde Hill.[13]

Every pound raised will go to Chailey Heritage Foundation, a pionering local charity helping with education, care and transition services for children and young people with complex physical disabilities and health needs.

This new running event is an off road course that will be chip timed.

Timings for the race are 10am for the Mini Mile and 10:30am for both the 5K and 10K. With refreshments including hot food, face painting and a bouncy castle, it’s set to be a great day out for the whole family.

So what’s included?

The day will comprise of a Kids Mini-Mile, a 5K, and a 10K run.
Chip timing.
Winners’ trophies.
Top fundraiser prize.
Medal and goody bag for all finishers.
Hot food options and refreshments.
Face painting and a bouncy castle for the children.
Free parking.

Join us to celebrate the beauty of the Jay Robin’s Rose Garden

Admire the beauty of the Rose Garden at its peak; a real feast for the senses with 750 David Austin rose plants and 100 varieties filling the air with a glorious fragrance.

The Rose Garden contains the most valued and popular roses developed by David Austin, including Gertrude Jekyll, Winchester Cathedral and Graham Thomas. It also contains the most popular roses sold in the last 12 months in the UK including Olivia Rose Austin, Lady Emma Hamilton and Darcy Bussell.

Head Gardener, Andy Stevens, says “The Jay Robin Rose Garden is undoubtedly the main highlight of the summer displays, with the sight and fragrance of over 750 David Austin roses being something to behold.”

Tours of the Rose Garden
The celebrations include short tours of the Rose Garden and surrounding borders at 12noon on 20th and 27th June (FREE of charge, with Garden admission).

Exclusive weekday tours of the Elizabethan Mansion House (usually only open for Groups)
Individuals can see the impressive Elizabethan Mansion House especially decorated with roses. Visitors will be able to see family memorabilia from Colonel Stephenson Clarke’s travels, as well as period features, fine furnishings and family portraits. Pre-booking required >Read more[14]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We are delighted to offer the annual opportunity for individuals to enjoy a weekday guided tour of the Grade II listed Elizabethan Mansion House (usually open only to groups). Delve into its history dating from 1590 and gain an insight into the lives and ancestors of the current owners, Mr and Mrs Stephenson Clarke. Visitors will also be able to see family memorabilia from Colonel Stephenson Clarke’s travels, as well as period features, fine furnishings and family portraits.

During Rose Celebration Weeks the house will be especially decorated with roses.

Tours last approximately 30 minutes and are unsuitable for under 16’s. There are no concession tickets available for these tours. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”9500″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

A wonderful night of food, music and theatre…

Join the Mayor for dinner and a night of great entertainment at the beautiful setting of Borde Hill Garden to celebrate 20 & 25 years of the twinning of Haywards Heath with Bondues in France and Traunstein in Germany.

Join us for an elegant afternoon of operatic delights at Borde Hill Garden this July.

Guests are invited to arrive for a refreshing glass of fizz in the marquee on the South Lawn before enjoying one of three 20 minute operatic performances by Opera Brava, whose mission is to make opera accessible and affordable to all. Music from the most beloved and well known operas will float around the marquee performed by artists who have stepped into the spotlight at world famous opera houses around the world. Between performances a delicious high tea will be served with savoury and sweet tasty treats.

We’re delighted to announce the return of our summer concerts in the parkland. UB40 and THE GIPSY KINGS will be headlining a brand new music festival, ‘A BOUNDLESS SUMMER’ on 7th and 8th July 2018.

Set to become a highlight of the UK festival calendar, with tickets starting at just £40 for an adult, the concerts, staged by Boundless and Neil O’Brien Entertainment, will take place in front of the lakes in the beautiful parkland setting, with the backdrop of the Elizabethan Mansion House.

Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.co.uk (booking fee applies) or can also be purchased in person from the Borde Hill Garden shop (without a booking fee), open 10am-5pm daily.

UB40 (plus support ASWAD)

Saturday 7th July

Legendary reggae and pop band, UB40 are celebrating 40 years in the business along with the release of a new album in conjunction with PledgeMusic.

The band has had more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, and has also achieved considerable international success. They have been nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album four times, and in 1984 were nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Group. UB40 have sold over 100 million records worldwide.

Members of the public can pay an additional £26 for a year’s membership to Boundless. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Catering: there will be a range of catering and refreshments available to purchase on-site, with guests also able to pre-order a picnic hamper for collection on the evening of the show, to enjoy in the grounds. Attendees will also be able to bring in small camping chairs and picnic blankets from which to enjoy the concerts.

Boundless: is a club dedicated to civil-service and public-sector workers – active and retired – looking to get more out of life for less. Members pay a small fee per year, and are given access to exclusive days out, holidays, ideas and offers. A Boundless Summer, the company’s inaugural festival, is being opened up to the general public, who, for the first time, also have the option to join Boundless upon buying tickets, giving them access to the exclusive deals on offer year-round.

We’re delighted to announce the return of our summer concerts in the parkland. UB40 and THE GIPSY KINGS will be headlining a brand new music festival, ‘A BOUNDLESS SUMMER’ on 7th and 8th July 2018.

Set to become a highlight of the UK festival calendar, with tickets starting at just £40 for an adult, the concerts, staged by Boundless and Neil O’Brien Entertainment, will take place in front of the lakes in the beautiful parkland setting, with the backdrop of the Elizabethan Mansion House.

Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.co.uk (booking fee applies) or can also be purchased in person from the Borde Hill Garden shop (without a booking fee), open 10am-5pm daily.

The Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes & Tonnino Baliardo

Sunday 8th July

For 25 years THE GIPSY KINGS have been delighting audiences with the infectious and joyful music that celebrates their gipsy heritage. The perfect sound for a summer’s night.

Their self-titled debut record became a genuine phenomenon, certified gold and platinum around the globe, introducing millions of listeners to a unique, irresistible blend of traditional flamenco styles with Western pop and Latin rhythms. Since then, the band has sold almost twenty million albums, all the while retaining the same line-up of virtuoso musicians.

Members of the public can pay an additional £26 for a year’s membership to Boundless. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Catering: there will be a range of catering and refreshments available to purchase on-site, with guests also able to pre-order a picnic hamper for collection on the evening of the show, to enjoy in the grounds. Attendees will also be able to bring in small camping chairs and picnic blankets from which to enjoy the concerts.

Boundless: is a club dedicated to civil-service and public-sector workers – active and retired – looking to get more out of life for less. Members pay a small fee per year, and are given access to exclusive days out, holidays, ideas and offers. A Boundless Summer, the company’s inaugural festival, is being opened up to the general public, who, for the first time, also have the option to join Boundless upon buying tickets, giving them access to the exclusive deals on offer year-round.

Age: 7-11 year oldsFee: £39 Camera rental: available for an additional £5

Get ready to capture the beautiful natural surroundings of Borde Hill through your camera lens. We’ll be looking for bugs and small wildlife to record through our lenses and learning how shutter speed and focus makes the photos really sharp. We will also be photographing all the trees and plants learning how to compose interesting, well thought out images through our camera lenses.

Age: 12-15 year oldsFee: £55 DSLR Camera rental: Available for an additional £10

Get ready to capture the beautiful natural surroundings of Borde Hill through your camera lens. We’ll be looking for bugs and small wildlife to record through our lenses and learning how shutter speed and focus makes the photos really sharp. We will also be photographing all the trees and plants learning how to compose interesting, well thought out images through our camera lenses.

Britain’s leading outdoor touring company, Opera Brava[29], present La Boheme, performed with a chamber ensemble against the magical backdrop of the Elizabethan Mansion House.

Description

Set in Paris in the 1830s among a group of impoverished Bohemians, the opera centres around the tragic love affair between the seamstress, Mimi, and Rodolfo, a poet. Frivolity, joy, tenderness and sorrow are all expressed in the wonderful music of this most treasured of operas. La Bohème is a masterpiece and is undoubtedly Puccini’s finest score.

This production and cast are sensational and bring out the real heart of Puccini’s magnificent score.

Booking essential

Tickets:
Early bird: £30 (when booked before 30th June)
Standard: £35 (for tickets booked in July and on the night)
Child: £10 (5-16 years old)

Prosecco, red and white wine, ale or Elderflower presse can be purchased on the day and added to your picnic (other drinks available on request). The picnic includes a disposable gable box which also contains plastic glasses, plates, knives, forks and napkins.

Doors open at 6.30pm. Relax in the Garden before the performance begins at 7.30pm. Picnics welcome.

Britain’s leading outdoor touring company, Opera Brava[31], present The Marriage of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, performed with a chamber ensemble against the magical backdrop of the Elizabethan Mansion House.

Description

One wedding and a whole lot of great singing!

It has all the ingredients of a classic piece of 18th century literature – passion, lust, betrayal, deception and ultimate forgiveness.

Yet the action takes place in just 24 hours and is liberally sprinkled with sparkling, farcical humour.

Welcome to The Marriage of Figaro, Mozart’s “perfect” opera with libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte.

With a professional cast of top-class performers, lavish costumes and period sets, the production promises first-rate quality at prices that are a fraction of Covent Garden

Booking essential

Tickets:
Early bird: £30 (when booked before 30th June)
Standard: £35 (for tickets booked in July and on the night)
Child: £10 (5-16 years old)

Prosecco, red and white wine, ale or Elderflower presse can be purchased on the day and added to your picnic (other drinks available on request). The picnic includes a disposable gable box which also contains plastic glasses, plates, knives, forks and napkins.

Doors open at 6.30pm. Relax in the Garden before the performance begins at 7.30pm. Picnics welcome.

The Garden inspires art in all its forms and this summer we display the artistic response to the beauty of the countryside and nature with a small selection of artwork in stone, stained glass, ceramic, resin and metalwork. Full details to follow.

This summer the beautiful Garden, lakes and woodland will inspire you to imagine fantasy creatures and other worldly beings. Let your creativity run free and see where your imagination takes you! £2 per activity.